VF Net Rises 7.7% on Sales at Its Stores

Defying weakness in both the economy and the apparel market, VF Corp. posted a 7.7% increase in first-quarter profit, reflecting strong sales at its own stores as well as overseas.

VF, the world's biggest apparel maker, with sales of $7.21 billion last year, said net income rose to $149 million, or $1.33 a share, in the three months ended March 29, from $138.3 million, or $1.20 a share, in the year-earlier quarter. Sales increased to...